sup guys?here comes a really stupid question>> im new to these 4 cylinder imports (been driveing sbc v8s since i got my licence 4 years ago, so as u can guess i know nothing about these fuel injected cars lol) anyway i have a 2004 lancer es and all the time while the engine is on there is this sort of constant ticking like sound. its made this sound since i got it new so im guessing it normal (is it?) can someone tell me why it makes this sound?? its really enoying even though i only notice it when theres no nosie around me and im standing outside

 

It sounds most likely to be your fuel injectors. They make a slight "ticking" sound, especially when cold.

 

Fuel injectors normally make a slight clicking noise. Another possibility is valve train noise. I don't know how the cam/lifters/valves are set up, but some slight valve train noise isn't a problem. If your car sounds like a Toyota 22RE (notoriously noisy valve train), then that's a problem.

 

Electrical relays also make clicking noises, it's pretty normal, unless it sounds reallllllly bad.

 

Probably not a problem, there is A LOT of components that make that noise. If you turn the key to on (not start) you may hear a "tickticktickticktick" and then it will stop. I think it is either something to do with the ABS or something to do with the fuel system.
Fuel injection really isn't as complicated as people make it out to be. Mechanically, it really is simple. A bunch of sensors, some simple injectors, some valves and then the computer. I feel much more at home looking at a MPFI system than a carburetor. I understand how both work, very much so, but I find the precise control and reliability of fuel injection so fascinating. How do those injectors go 150,000 miles? Opening and closing many times per second, every day.